Plant-Based Latex Makes Eco-Wetsuits

Traditional fossil fuel-based neoprene production bears a heavy carbon footprint and is counter to the vision of the earth-friendly company, Patagonia. Together with the company Yulex, Patagonia will be offering wetsuits made from 60 percent guayule latex with the plan to eventually use 100 percent plant-based materials. Guayule is a non-food plant in the family Asteraceae, grown in arid regions of the United States without pesticides.